BYRON YORK: Why Did Santorum Lose So Big In 2006? “Perhaps the most glaring weakness in Rick Santorum’s case that he can win the presidency is his 18-point loss when he sought a third term as senator from Pennsylvania in 2006. Santorum explains that ’06 was a terrible year for Republicans, and indeed the GOP, in the sixth year of George W. Bush’s time in the White House, did lose control of both House and Senate. But why, specifically, did Santorum lose, and why did he lose by such a large margin? Surprisingly, given the intensity of the campaign, the reasons are seldom explored at any length.”